Barry Bonds, avid cyclist and cycling investor

I’ll be posting my column on Barry Bonds return to the Giants’ fold soon. But here’s something I didn’t include in the column.

MLB: Spring Training-Chicago Cubs at San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants former outfielder Barry Bonds waves to the fans prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Bonds has become an avid cyclist. It’s surely not the only reason he is so much skinnier than he was back in 2007, but it probably helps his fitness. And, yes, there’s plenty of fodder there about a baseball player tainted by steroid use adopting the most drug-infested sport of all.

Bonds reportedly got into cycling through his girlfriend, Mari Holden, a former world champion and Olympian. He has ridden in Levi Leipheimer’s GrandFondo and other events. Leipheimer, a former Lance Armstrong lieutenant who lives in Santa Rosa, was banned from cycling for drug involvement.

“I only do it for myself to stay in shape,” Bonds said. “I’m not good. But I get gratification for me. I compete with myself. ”